By Catharyn Pilch 

International teachers and the food service contract were the topics of most interest at the Indiana Area School District (IASD) board meeting Monday. Teachers from nine countries were welcomed guests and a new food contract was needed for the IASD.

All 16 teachers, from countries including Ghana, Tanzania and Egypt, introduced themselves to the board with their name, country and what subject they taught.  Their home country subjects included English, math and science.

Retired teacher Michael Rieg representing the International Leaders in Education program (ILEP) explained what the international teachers do.

“They are here for an entire semester at IUP taking classes. Then once a week… they are partnered with an Indiana High School teacher… learning about strategies… and then take it back home to their countries to help improve education in their nations.”

This program runs at no cost to IUP or IASD. It is paid for by a “grant through the state department” Rieg said.

Superintendent Dale Kirsch is thankful for the program.

“We appreciate” Kirsch said, “the experience it gives to our teachers at the high school as well as our students. You cannot learn this out of a book.”

“Thank you very much for coming this evening,” IASD Board President Walter Schroth said to the ILEP teachers, “We really appreciate your presence here tonight.”

Conflict over the proposed contract for food services was also present at the board meeting. During public comment a “concerned citizen” expressed her displeasure at a single contract offer for food services as a motion on the agenda. She had been to a prior meeting where it was expressed that two options would be explored in detail later, but now there was only one contract on the table for discussion.

Cuccaro asking Cronauer questions about food service decision

Board member Julia Trimarchi Cuccaro had “a few questions about how we got to where we are [one bid on the motion]”

“What,” Cuccaro said, “was the characteristic that caused you [IASD business manager Jared Cronauer] to go with Chartwell [the food service company]”

Cronauer explained that Chartwell had the highest guarantee for profit. Board member Barbara Barker did not appreciate that reasoning.

“I have concerns,” Barker said, “about the quality of food if profit is forced.”

Despite some misgivings the vote was to accept the motion and continue with Chartwell as the food service provider for IASD with only one opposed.

Other items discussed included the possibility of expanding the current policy and allow private schooled children join sports teams of IASD. Additionally, there was some concern that the IASD Junior High School pool was not working and would take approximately 9 ½ weeks to fix, leaving the students unable to participate in swi